Matthew 1:25

1:25 but did not have marital relations ¹  with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named ²  Jesus.

Matthew 5:26

5:26 I tell you the truth, ³  you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny! ⁴ 

Matthew 18:30

18:30 But he refused. Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt.

Matthew 18:34

18:34 And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him ⁵  until he repaid all he owed.

Matthew 24:34

24:34 I tell you the truth, ⁶  this generation ⁷  will not pass away until all these things take place.

Matthew 26:38

26:38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.”

[1:25]  ¹ tn Or “did not have sexual relations”; Grk “was not knowing her.” The verb “know” (in both Hebrew and Greek) is a frequent biblical euphemism for sexual relations. However, a translation like “did not have sexual relations with her” is too graphic in light of the popularity and wide use of Matthew’s infancy narrative. Thus the somewhat more subdued but still clear “did not have marital relations” was selected.

[1:25]  ² tn Grk “and he called his name Jesus.” The coordinate clause has been translated as a relative clause in English for stylistic reasons.

[5:26]  ³ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[5:26]  ⁴ tn Here the English word “penny” is used as opposed to the parallel in Luke 12:59 where “cent” appears since the Greek word there is different and refers to a different but similar coin.

[18:34]  ⁵ tn Grk “handed him over to the torturers,” referring specifically to guards whose job was to torture prisoners who were being questioned. According to L&N 37.126, it is difficult to know for certain in this instance whether the term actually envisions torture as a part of the punishment or is simply a hyperbole. However, in light of the following verse and Jesus’ other warning statements in Matthew about “fiery hell,” “the outer darkness,” etc., it is best not to dismiss this as mere imagery.

[24:34]  ⁷ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[24:34]  ⁸ sn This is one of the hardest verses in the gospels to interpret. Various views exist for what generation means. (1) Some take it as meaning “race” and thus as an assurance that the Jewish race (nation) will not pass away. But it is very questionable that the Greek term γενεά (genea) can have this meaning. Two other options are possible. (2) Generation might mean “this type of generation” and refer to the generation of wicked humanity. Then the point is that humanity will not perish, because God will redeem it. Or (3) generation may refer to “the generation that sees the signs of the end” (v. 30), who will also see the end itself. In other words, once the movement to the return of Christ starts, all the events connected with it happen very quickly, in rapid succession.